Land of possibilities

Thursday

Middletown is looking to create its own version of Newport’s Brenton Point State Park on 25 acres of waterfront property on the west side of town.

Now part of Naval Station Newport, the area would offer public access to Narragansett Bay and its Middletown shoreline for the first time since the 1940s.

At a meeting earlier this week, the Town Council approved a $36,970 contract for consultant Matrix Design Group to study the waterfront property along Burma Road, from McAllister’s Point north to the Greene Lane area, and come up with a master plan for possible uses.

Town Planner Ronald M. Wolanski said it looks like it could be a year or more before the Navy might transfer the property — should the town’s proposal be found suitable — but it never is too early to start mapping out the future.

“Ever since we received word there was a possibility the town could take ownership of this land, it’s been a huge selling point that residents would have access to Narragansett Bay for the first time since World War II,” Wolanski said. “It’s a beautiful location and I know it would be a very welcome addition to the recreational opportunities we already offer here in Middletown, from the beaches to our parks and the new trail system created by the (Aquidneck) Land Trust.”

Most of the conversation to date about the tract of federal land — which includes the town’s former transfer station — has focused on building a new fishing pier and community park on about 6 acres of the site.

That is part of a conceptual proposal from the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission. Wolanski said there are no plans on paper for the remaining 19 acres the town is seeking from the Navy through a public benefit conveyance agreement.

The idea is to create a multi-use recreational area where people could enjoy activities such as walking and fishing, with easy access to the water. Some have said the proposed park would be similar to Brenton Point State Park, which is located along Newport’s famed Ocean Drive.

“Obviously, the fishing pier is going to be the centerpiece of the park,” Wolanski said. “What’s envisioned there could be a draw for the entire region.”

The waterfront acreage on the west side of town is one of six locations and part of 225 acres on Aquidneck Island that the Navy says it has no practical use for anymore. That surplus property includes the former Navy Lodge parcel at the corner of Coddington Highway and West Main Road.

Matrix also was awarded a separate $33,960 contract to develop a master plan for the Navy Lodge site as well as several neighboring properties included in the excessing process, as it is referred to in legal circles.

The work by Matrix, based in Denver, will help the town with its application to the National Park Service, the next step in the effort to secure the Burma Road parcel, Wolanski said.

Under the town’s public benefit conveyance request, Middletown would pay no money for the 25 acres. However, it would be required to guarantee that the land will always be used for recreational purposes.

To help offset the cost of the work by Matrix, Wolanski said, the town is in the process of trying to secure outside funding from different agencies. Money for the two Matrix contracts came from the town’s fund balance.

Addressing the property for the first time publicly at the council level at a meeting Monday night, town officials generally agreed it made sense to pursue the master plan for the Burma Road property.

While Councilman Paul M. Rodrigues had questions about whether the community was placing too much on its plate — given all the other projects already in the works — others said there might never be another opportunity like the one on Burma Road.

“This 25 acres of surplus Navy land is a unique opportunity to provide public access to Narragansett Bay,” council President Christopher T. Semonelli said. “Although plans are incomplete and will require substantial public input, the park could provide a recreational destination for island residents and visitors, waterfront activities including an expanded and handicapped-accessible fishing pier, kayak launch, access to rail and a future Shoreline Bikeway, shoreline picnicking and hiking. The park will be both a wonderful addition to Middletown and an engine for economic development.”

While supportive of the park proposal, council Vice President Robert J. Sylvia said Middletown should expand its horizons with the Burma Road land and seek to create new revenues as well. With the area’s panoramic views of Narragansett Bay and beyond, Sylvia suggested the town consider bringing a resort destination development to the property as well.

Because there’s not much other development nearby the 25-acre parcel and it’s located on Burma Road, Sylvia said such a large-scale project would not adversely impact any neighbors, or the town itself.

Featuring a national brand-name hotel with a couple of nice restaurants, a convention center and similar amenities, such a project could be a winner for the entire region, Sylvia said.

“If we get the right developer, this would mean long-term revenue, long-term jobs, something everyone is looking for these days,” Sylvia said. “That’s not even mentioning the tax dollars something like this could bring in.”

Under his concept, Sylvia said, the town would own the 25 acres and lease part of it for the resort construction, with the park system occupying the remainder, designed in a way to mesh seamlessly with each other.

“Think of what something like this could mean for Middletown,” Sylvia said. “Newport is definitely what draws people to Aquidneck Island, but there’s no reason we shouldn’t do what we can to capitalize on that without selling ourselves down the river.

“Imagine a Hilton or some other name-brand resort hotel, six or seven stories tall with the views of the bay from the balconies. A convention center to host regional events and a shuttle to take people to go play golf, enjoy our restaurants and everything else. It would benefit everyone.”

Tina Dolen, executive director of the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission, said to date, she hasn’t heard talk of bringing a resort to the Burma Road land, just the park.

Asked about the status of the fishing pier project, Dolen said to the best of her knowledge the state Department of Environmental Management remains committed to the effort, referring to a November 2010 letter from then-Director J. Michael Sullivan expressing support.

Dolen said the park plan would work well with the Shoreline Drive concept the Planning Commission has been pursuing to revamp Burma Road and install a bike trail and other recreational amenities. The new, larger park would be a great addition to the island, Dolen said.

“The facility they’re talking about developing would serve not just Middletown and the island, but all over the state,” Dolen said. “It’s such a compelling attraction and it sounds like it will be even better (for the site) than what was envisioned in the West Side Master Plan.”

Sheley@NewportRI.com

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